Why did Pastor John name his book and ministry “Desiring God” instead of “Enjoying God,” “Delighting in God,” or “Rejoicing in God”?

Monday we opened the week talking about the relationship between Christian Hedonism and historic Reformed theology. Wednesday we looked at Pastor John’s fears and hopes for Christian Hedonism after he’s gone. Today we look at the title “Desiring God” and some alternatives. The question is from Trent in Columbus, Ohio.

“Pastor John, I was recently celebrating the impact of your ministry with a friend at Chick-fil-A of all places. We were both stumped by a question: How did you arrive at the name ‘Desiring God’ when so much of the ministry is not merely aspirational, but is focused on the actual act of enjoying God himself in Bible reading and in sermons, for example? Why not something more accurate like ‘Delighting in God’?”